Al Franken: ‘Ironic how I’m resigning while a man who brags about sexual assault is still president’

This Thursday morning, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) announced his plans to resign after a seventh woman came forward accusing him of sexual misconduct. Franken said that although he believes the Senate ethics committee’s investigation will find him innocent, he doesn’t feel he can any longer serve effectively and will step down in the coming weeks.

“Some of the allegations against me are simply not true,” said Franken during address in the Senate floor. “Others I remember very differently.”

During his speech, he took an opportunity to jab Republicans, President Trump, and Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, pointing to what he sees as their hypocrisy on the subject of sexual assault and harassment.

“There is some irony that I am leaving while a man who bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who preyed on young girls runs for Senate with the full support of his party,” Franken said.

According to the Star Tribune, Franken will be replaced by Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, who will hold Franken’s seat until a special election in November of next year.

This Wednesday, POLITICO published the account of a woman who said Franken tried to forcibly kiss her in 2006 after a broadcast of his radio show. The woman, who remained anonymous, brings the total number of Franken’s accusers to seven.

Watch an except of Franken’s speech below:

Franken: “I of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office.”